We are reprinting Pat Chadwick ’s fantabulous article on crepuscle - bloom bulbs from 2016 .
If you design it right , you could have a medulla of some sort in peak throughout the entire grow season . We ’re all familiar with daffodils , tulips , crocus , hyacinth and a host of venial bulbs that typically brighten the belated winter and bounce landscapes . In summer , we are blessed with warm conditions alliums , caladiums , elephant ears , gladiolus , Liatris , and lily of various variety . It may surprise you to learn that autumn has plenty to declare oneself in the way of light bulb as well . Just as the rest of the garden is start out to go hibernating , the sight of many of the fall - bloom bulbs described below will intrigue and revel you .
genus Colchicum
Colchicum(pronounced KOHL - chi - kum ) strike you by surprisal when you take on it in the fall landscape painting . Closely refer to lilies ( Liliaceae family ) , it resemble a crocus on steroids .
However , it is not related to the crocus , which is a member of the Iris family and typically blooms in former springtime . To tot to the discombobulation , some crocuses bloom in the fall ( more on those later ) , plusColchicumis sometimes referred to as autumn crocus . It produces vase - shaped blooms begin in September and continuing into November , depending on the species . Without going into all the botanic conflict between the two species , here are a few shipway to specialise between aColchicumand a crocus :
It ’s crucial to be cognizant thatColchicumis poisonous . Colchicine , the toxic chemical compound in Colchicum , is highly unsafe . Even tiny amounts can be deadly if ingested . A clear and prominent word of advice about handling this industrial plant is all-important , peculiarly in areas where children or pet are present . Wear garden gloves when handle the corms and check for sap on them . Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling , even if you wore baseball mitt . Avoid touching your face or mouth during and after plow the plant or corm . Pruning or cut back the plant can expose you to toxic sap , so take surplus precaution during succeeding garden upkeep . Also , ward off over - tearing , which can stimulate toxin to leach into the nearby soil . Be sure to have emergency inter-group communication information available should you need to employ it . It ’s vital to understand that there is no counterpoison for colchicine poisoning . If exposure occurs , contiguous aesculapian tending is necessary , but outcomes count largely on the amount of toxin absorb .
In improver to the metal money , a number ofColchicumhybrids are uncommitted through catalogs and on - line sources , including the watch selection :
In addition to its toxicity , another downside to someColchicumspecies is that their blossom , which generally grow about 6 to 8 inches tall , run to flop over after a few days . A solution to that trouble is to embed the corms beneath a ground back which will patronise the blossom .
AUTUMN CROCUS
Crocuses are normally remember of as one of the earliest blooming of the saltation bulbs . However , the genus includes a turn of pin - blooming crocus species as well . With the exception ofC. niveus , which has white flowers , the extremity of this fall - blooming mathematical group flower in various shades of lavender . All of the autumn - blossom species are interesting , but the following two place upright out as being of especial pastime :
Crocus speciosus ( Showy crocus ) – This heirloom coinage , dating back to 1800 , blooms in ghost of mauve to violet bluing . Just a few crossbreed showy crocus selections include :
Saffron Crocus(Crocus sativus)is the source of saffron , the culinary spice used to color and season many Indian , Asian , and Mediterranean dishes , including curries and Spanish paella . It takes about five dozenC. sativusblossoms to produce just one tablespoon of the carmine - orange threads , which are in reality the stigma from the blossoms . Each purpleness , loving cup - shaped blossom arrest three stigma . For the plate gardener interested in growingC. sativus , plant two or three XII bulbs in a sunny , well - drained location . They will gradually multiply , ply more of the spice with each successive year .
STERNBERGIA LUTEA
normally called lily of the field of operations , this heirloom ( pre-1601 ) bulb , a appendage of the Amaryllidaceae syndicate , has identity outlet . Its golden yellow bloom count similar to those of a crocus . However , Sternbergia luteais neither a lily nor a crocus . To add to the disarray , this bulb is sometimes referred to as autumn daffodil , yet it bears no resemblance whatsoever to daffodils other than its color . Despite the confusion about its indistinguishability , this four to six - in magniloquent plant provide plenty of color in the September landscape . It shows to best advantage at the front of the delimitation either in small-scale scattered groupings or in a large mass planting . The foliation appears along with the bloom and persists until spring before it finally dies back .
CYCLAMEN
A extremity of the Primulaceae class , low - raise Cyclamen is an excellent increase to tilt garden and naturalized fly-by-night woodland gardens .
The bloom graze from white to cryptic magenta pinko . While the uniquely form , reflexed flower are dainty and lovely to look at , the beautifully mottled heart- or arrow - shape foliage get the eye in a raw setting . Depending on the species , the leave of absence may be mark with silver spot or zones or various shades of fleeceable or gray . The leaves and flower stalks move up directly from the Cyclamen genus Tuber . Of the 20 metal money of Cyclamen that survive , choose the hardier forms for the autumn garden , such asC. hederifolium or C. purpurascens , which can fly high in USDA Zones 5 or 6 . Do not confuse the hardy forms of Cyclamen withC. persicum , a large - flowered strain that was bred in the late 1800s for use as a house plant life .
LYCORIS RADIATA
A member of the amaryllis folk , this heirloom bulb is know by a series of common names ( spider lily , charming lily , hurricane lily , surprisal lily , naked madam , resurrection lily , etc . ) . The bulbs typically lie dormant until previous summertime or early autumn pelting actuate it to flower . At that dot , one to two - base tall leafless flush stalks rise from the soil , each bearing umbel of four to six dramatic coral - red flowers . Each flower has very long spidery - looking stamens , which lends it an airy facial expression and is the generator of its coarse name of spider lily . The blooms fade quickly in live weather but will last a snatch longer when planted in fond shade . Once the efflorescence shuck dies , the electric light sends up long , strap - like , grayish unripe parting , which persist through wintertime and then die back in spring . wanderer lily naturalise by bulb offsets and will constitute little colonies over time . In addition to the carmine - blooming species , a motley calledAlbahas white blooms . A related to coinage ( L. aurea ) produces golden yellow blossoms .
LYCORIS SQUAMIGERA
This cousin ofL. radiatais the most dusty Oliver Hardy of theLycorisspecies and shares many of the same common names as its red - flowering counterpart — naked lady , resurrection lily , or storm Lily . LikeL.radiata , this coinage is at its most glorious as a mass planting . The foliage appears in the spring and then dies back . In late summertime , one to two - foot marvellous tough leafless scapes rise from the grime , each bearing 6 to 8 trumpet - mould blossoms in a peak . The prime color on this species is a delicate shade of pinkish lavender . The blossoms are long lasting on the industrial plant and as a cut flower in flowered arrangements . The bulb do n’t wish to be disturbed after they are establish and may not get along up the first twelvemonth . Divide the electric-light bulb when flowering starts to become sparse and replant them immediately . They do n’t like to dry out .
CANNA LILY
Canna lily is the undivided member of the Cannaceae kinsperson and is another downfall - flower bulb ( rhizome , really ) that swings into activeness in August and September when the ease of the garden is meander down . Nine coinage from the Americas and Asia belong to to this family of plants . Most cannas grown today are hybrids that have been bred specifically for peak size of it and leaf colour . For such hybrid , C. flaccidafrom Florida is the principal parent for peak size andC.indicafrom Central America is the major parent for vary leaf . Height is an important considerateness when selecting cannas for the landscape painting . While many selections top out at three to four feet , the tallest canna species or crossbreed can maturate to more than six feet . fortuitously , for gardeners who want a vertical accent but not one that grandiloquent , many shorter hybrids are available , including some dwarf variety that grow only 18 to 24 inches tall . The shorter variety make outstanding accent plants for container gardens . Cannas bloom in a blanket range of colouring material with interesting looking flower spike that can last for several week . They pull in pollinator of all kinds , including bees and other dirt ball , hummingbirds , and even bat . Collectively , canna lily make a striking statement in the interracial mete with their bold foliation , colorful flowers , tropical appearance , and vertical build . While some canna extract are report to be stalwart in USDA Zone 7 , others need protection from cold , loaded winter conditions . If in doubt , carefully dig out up the rootstock to avoid damaging them and store them in a cool , rime - free area over wintertime . Replant in springiness once the risk of frost is past .
DAHLIA
Members of theAsteraceaeplant family , dahlias are perhaps the quintessential tardy - season flowering bulb . Originating in Mexico and Central America , this most resplendent of free fall - blooming bulb was prized by the Aztecs centuries ago . line up its room to Europe in the late 1700s , it became wide hybridized and eventually circle back to the New World , where it is enthusiastically grown by both collectors and gardening amateurs alike . For those of us who think the rose is the nance of the ornamental garden , it could be argued that the glorious , dramatic , scene - stealing Dahlia pinnata presents some serious contender for the title . More than 20,000 Dahlia pinnata cultivars are name on the Royal Horticultural Society ’s International Registry . The American Dahlia Society recognizes a number of dahlia phase , including collarette , waterlily , cosmetic , ball , pom pom , cactus , anemone , and single - flowered . Technically a genus Tuber rather than a bulb , dahlias should be found about two weeks before the last expected rime in a sunny location in soil that has been deeply educate and remedy with constituent matter . In fall , carefully dig up the tubers after frost kills the leafage . Once the grease dries on the roots , clean them with a soft brush or textile and store in a well - ventilate , frost - free area .
ethnic REQUIREMENTS AND attention OF decline - FLOWERING BULBS
decline - blossom bulbs , corm , rhizome and tubers are generally low maintenance and have few ethnical requirements .
When to plant fall-blooming bulbs
Some experts recommend imbed fall - blossom bulbs in August ( University of Maryland Extension ) , while others advocate embed in early fall ( University of Tennessee / Horticulture ) or simply late summer or early spill ( Iowa State Extension / Colchicum ) . “ you’re able to plant a medulla in summer for peak that gloam ” ( North Carolina State University Extension/ Colchicum ) .
SOURCES
American Dahlia Society ( http://www.dahlia.org/ )
Bulbs(Bryan , John E. , 2002 )
Clemson Cooperative Extension Pub . HGIC 1156 , ‘ Summer- & Fall - Flowering Bulbs , ( www.clemson.edu )
“ Dahlias , ” Chicago Botanic Garden clause ( http://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/dahlias )
50 Beautiful Deer - immune Plants – The Prettiest Annuals , Perennials , Bulbs , and Shrubs that Deer Do n’t Eat(Clausen , Ruth Rogers , 2011 )
